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Data Privacy
ASPIRe: Looking back and ahead on the regulatory roadmap for virtual assets in Hong Kong
On 19 February 2025, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) published ASPIRe, its regulatory roadmap for Hong Kong’s virtual asset market. It’s a fine document, and an inspired acronym. As we approach the first anniversary of its publication, Pádraig Walsh, who leads our Fintech practice,…Read More
“There’s always someone watching!” (Ocean’s 11). Updated Privacy Commissioner guidance on CCTV, drone, and in-vehicle camera use
Hong Kong is actively pushing to become a global innovation hub. Plans include installing cameras in all taxis by 2026, as well as promoting a low-altitude economy of camera-equipped drones. However, such initiatives come with privacy and data concerns. The use of CCTV surveillance, and…Read More
Legal Update: Banking (Amendment) Ordinance 2025
Fraud, particularly digital fraud, is on the rise globally. Hong Kong, as an international financial centre, trading hub and an intermediary between Mainland China and the global market, has strengthened its anti-fraud efforts. These include enhancing information sharing through public-private partnerships between the Hong Kong Police Force and the banking sector. However, there remains an information gap which is often exploited by criminals to move…Read More
Legal Update: PCPD’s Investigation Reports on Two Data Breach Incidents
In this update, Pádraig Walsh from our Data Privacy team looks at two investigation reports published by the Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (“PCPD”) into data breach incidents occurring in 2024. Data breach incident of Kwong’s Art Jewellery and My Jewelry Brief overview:…Read More
Legal Update: PCPD’s Checklist on Use of GenAI at Work
The rapid adoption of generative artificial intelligence (“GenAI”) applications and agents is quickly transforming the workplace and how work is done in many enterprises in Hong Kong. The ease of use of GenAI tools can disguise personal data privacy and protection risks. In this update,…Read More
Personal data transfers in the Greater Bay Area of China
Here’s a conundrum. Two locations in the same country apply different laws to personal data transfers. Those locations are closely integrated economically, with policies that are designed to foster closer collaboration and development. Data sharing is a critical element to accomplish those objectives. This is…Read More
Cybersecurity: Lessons to learn from the recent SFC thematic review
More than 95% of all active traders in Hong Kong trade through internet trading systems. In this article, Pádraig Walsh from our Cybersecurity team highlights key points in a report from a recent thematic cybersecurity review of licensed corporations published by the Securities and Future…Read More
New SFC Circular streamlines licensing for Virtual Asset Trading Platforms
In this news update, Pádraig Walsh from our Fintech practice group looks at the streamlined licensing process for virtual asset trading platforms (VATPs) introduced for all applicants by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in its 16 January 2025 Circular[1]. Streamlined licensing process This Circular…Read More
Not yet the last word on efforts to scrap scraping
In our legal update of 3 October 2023 (link), we reported that the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data in Hong Kong (“PCPD”) joined the international effort along with eleven other privacy authorities in issuing a joint statement in respect of illegal data scraping practices. The…Read More
Looking back, looking forward: Highlights and prospects in Hong Kong data privacy regulation
There is never a dull moment in data privacy and protection. The global landscape is becoming increasingly complex with overlapping regulation and lack of international convergence. Although Hong Kong does not have these issues yet, 2024 witnessed some significant developments in 2024, setting the stage…Read More
Internet Regulation in Hong Kong: An overview
1. Legal and enforcement framework 1.1 Which legislative and regulatory provisions govern the internet in Hong Kong? An internet service provider (ISP) will need a telecommunications licence to provide internet services in Hong Kong. It is for this reason that certain responses below refer to…Read More
Telecom Regulation in Hong Kong: An overview
1. Legal and enforcement framework 1.1 Which legislative and regulatory provisions govern telecommunications in Hong Kong? Telecommunications in Hong Kong is primarily governed by the following legislation: 1.2 Which bodies are responsible for enforcing the applicable laws and regulations in the telecommunications sector? What powers do…Read More
